Staples winter preview: Boys basketball led by strong junior class

Updated 5:40 am, Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Trinity Catholic's Jon Lyons drives to the basket past Staples' Ben Casparius during their basketball game at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. Staples won, 60-58.

Trinity Catholic's Jon Lyons drives to the basket past Staples' Ben Casparius during their basketball game at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. Staples won, 60-58.

Photo: Jason Rearick / Jason Rearick

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Staples' Sean Pritchett drives towards the basket while under pressure from Westhill's Juan De La Cruz during their game at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Westhill ended their season in FCIAC play undefeated by beating Staples, 64-43. less

Staples' Sean Pritchett drives towards the basket while under pressure from Westhill's Juan De La Cruz during their game at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Westhill ended ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick / Jason Rearick

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Staples' Justin Seideman fakes out Westhill's CJ Donaldson during their game at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Westhill ended their season in FCIAC play undefeated by beating Staples, 64-43. less

Staples' Justin Seideman fakes out Westhill's CJ Donaldson during their game at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Westhill ended their season in FCIAC play undefeated by ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick / Jason Rearick

Staples winter preview: Boys basketball led by strong junior class

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A promising start turned into a bitter finish for the Staples boys basketball team last season, and a number of promising returners with multiple seasons of varsity experience are back for 2015-2016 looking to end the school’s four-year FCIAC playoff drought.

Last season, Staples started out 8-6 before dropping its final seven games — including a first round state playoff game at Hillhouse. Now in his ninth season as head coach, Colin Devine is excited to make another run at the postseason.

“Last year we were a playoff team,” Devine said. “We had a bumpy road at the end of the season but hopefully we can improve each game, win or lose; and hopefully we’ll be in the mix.”

Devine has a trio of juniors to depend on and carry the load at both ends of the court.

Ben Casparius — a University of North Carolina baseball commit — was a lights-out shooter for the Wreckers a season ago and spent just as much time on the court as a freshman. With baseball requiring an intensive commitment, Casparius — who scored 27 points in a game against St. Joseph last season — is eager to return to the hardwood for another winter.

“We have a lot of potential,” Casparius said. “I think if we really put together our plays and work to be the best we can I think we’re going to have a lot of success.”

Devine referred to Sean Pritchett as his defensive leader, a strong vote of confidence for a player who can do everything on the court.

“We can put (Pritchett) at point guard if we had to, or he could be our biggest guy,” Casparius said. “He can do everything on the floor; he’s going to be a key component to our success this year.”

Justin Seideman was thrown into the fire as a primary ball-handler as then-senior Jake Melnick missed the season with a shoulder injury. Seideman — who can also finish at the rim — grew into the role as the season progressed and the experience will be beneficial in 2015, according to Devine.

“We’re going to count on Justin to score the ball more and get us into our offense, and on defense all of our guards are going to have to rebound,” said Devine.

The Wreckers scrimmaged defending Class L champion Bunnell to get its preseason underway, and will open the regular season Dec. 22 in a tournament with Darien, New Canaan and Trumbull. The FCIAC chase officially begins Jan. 5 against the Eagles.

“We learned (against Bunnell) that we have a lot to work on,” Casparius said. “It’s still the preseason; even the day after with practice we got after it a little bit more. It kind of woke us up and will affect us in the beginning of the season.”

With the departure of many top talents to Prep school programs — plus the graduation of many first team All-FCIAC selections — the competitive balance of the FCIAC is stronger than ever. With the departure of Harding and Bassick to the CSC, each team will play 16 league games.

“If someone could name the top eight qualifying teams for the FCIAC playoffs right now, I would be surprised,” Devine said. “If we can continue to improve each day I think there’s no reason why we can’t be in the mix for a conference playoff spot.”